In a thrilling Saturday night showdown at Jordan‑Hare Stadium, Auburn secured a 26‑23 win over Arkansas thanks to a clutch 42‑yard field goal by senior kicker Alex McPherson with just 33 seconds remaining. The kick not only sealed the victory but also gave the Tigers their second game‑winning field goal of the season, following a similar heroics against Georgia earlier in the year.
Key offensive performances
Quarterback Byrum Brown led Auburn’s offense with 180 passing yards and two touchdown passes, while also contributing 120 rushing yards on the ground. The balanced attack helped the Tigers overcome a slow start and generate 23 points in the second half after a modest first‑half output.
Three receivers made significant contributions: Keshaun Singleton led the group with six catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Chas Nimrod added a score of his own. Christian Neptune also recorded at least five receptions, providing reliable hands throughout the game.
Arkansas’ effort
Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson improved as the contest progressed, completing 14 of 30 attempts for 188 yards. He threw for 123 yards and a fourth‑quarter touchdown that briefly tied the game at 23‑23. However, Jackson’s negative 20 rushing yards hampered Arkansas’ momentum, despite a strong running performance that produced 179 yards—74 more than the team’s season average.
Arkansas’ ground game, anchored by a 65‑yard sprint from Sutton Smith before halftime, helped the Razorbacks finish with 184 rushing yards, surpassing their SEC‑lowest average of 105 yards per game.
Coaches weigh in
Auburn head coach Alex Golesh praised the depth and resilience of his young roster, noting that close, hard‑fought victories are essential for building a sustainable program. “That’s how you build a football program: you build depth through young guys,” Goless said. “Today was a really good example for our entire program and for some other guys who might not be playing.”
Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield acknowledged the stark contrast between the two halves, expressing pride in the defensive effort early on while lamenting missed offensive opportunities later. “Clearly the tale of two halves. Proud of what we did defensively in the first half, offensively I wish we could have capitalized more,” he said.
Defensive highlights and injuries
Auburn’s defensive front seven dealt with several injuries, including losses to Demarcus Riddick and Cody Sigler. Freshman linebacker Shadarius Toodle stepped up in Riddick’s absence, recording 11 tackles, three sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss.
Looking ahead
The Tigers will travel to Mississippi State next Saturday, hoping to continue their winning ways on the road. Arkansas, meanwhile, will host No. 21 South Carolina the following week as they aim to rebound from the narrow defeat.
Both programs remain in the thick of SEC competition, with Auburn currently sitting at 5‑4 overall and 3‑4 in conference play, while Arkansas stands at 3‑6 overall and 1‑5 in the SEC.
Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.
